title: Rechargeable antimicrobial surface modification of polyethylene.
abstract: Polyethylene films were surface modified, to incorporate amine and amide functionalities, and subsequently were evaluated for their ability to recharge the antimicrobial N-halamine structures after contact with sodium hypochlorite, a common food-approved sanitizer. Surfaces were tested for chlorine retention and release, as well as antimicrobial activity against microorganisms relevant to food quality and food safety, including Escherichia coli K-12, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus cereus, and Listeria monocytogenes. N-Halamine functionalized polyethylene exhibited chlorine rechargeability, maintaining 5 to 7 nmol/cm2 N-halamine structures for six successive charges. The N-halamine functionalized films achieved a 4-log reduction for all organisms tested and maintained a greater than 3-log reduction for four successive uses, suggesting that the modified polyethylene films are capable of providing rechargeable antimicrobial activity. The modified films exhibited antimicrobial activity in aqueous suspensions (P < 0.05) and reduced microbial growth in diluted broth (P < 0.05), suggesting the potential for biocidal action even in the presence of organic matter. Such a rechargeable antimicrobial surface could supplement existing cleaning and sanitation programs in food processing environments to reduce the adhesion, growth, and subsequent cross-contamination of food pathogens, as well as food spoilage organisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Stocking Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hotchkiss
mesh_terms: D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D048168:Escherichia coli K12 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D011551:Pseudomonas fluorescens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D020959:Polyethylene; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite